John Simm stars in this shocking television miniseries, inspired by and based on in-depth research into real-life events. Two sisters, Elena (Anamaria Marinca) and Vara (Maria Popistasu), believe they are leaving their home in Moldova for a better life in London when they take up job offers. In actual fact, they have been sold into the dark and violent underworld of sex trafficking and are forced to work as sex slaves. Daniel Appleton (Simm) is a researcher and investigator for a charity trying to help free women from their unscrupulous kidnappers. But when Daniel starts digging deeper into Elena and Vara's plight, he uncovers a link to a US contractor for the international peacekeepers in Bosnia. Before long, the strands of the conspiracy are starting to unravel, with shocking results.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I remember this when it was broadcast on channel 4 over several weeks, and it was as hard hitting then, as now. This is not by any means, your average 'feel good' movie, instead shows the journey of two women, who were exploited and trafficked into the sex trade by various people.

A definate must see, this film ought to have 'based on a true story' all over it, for all the women who have taken that road from their own countries with little hope of ever going back. This is a near real account of what happend to two of them..........

Winner of sixteen awards (including eight BAFTAs) and sixteen nominations this TV mini series does not disappoint.

The human drama is totally convincing amidst an almost documentary style as we follow sisters Elena (Anamaria Marinca) and Vera Visinescu (Maria Popistasu) betrayed by a supposed fiancée into a life of sex slavery in the Balkans.

All aspects of the trafficking are dramatised, the corruption of the police and the private American security forces supplied by respected American security company CEO Tom Harlsburgh (Chris Potter). Far more shocking is the ruthless and callous treatment of the girls by the men buying selling and exploiting them.

Depth is added with the investigation by Daniel Appleton (fine performance by John Simm) into the dismissal of Callum Tate (Luke Kirby) for allegedly buying girls for trafficking, and as Daniel pursues his investigation we delve deeper into big business involvement and indifference.

A wincingly realisitic portrayal of human behaviour at its very worst.

This is probably the most harrowing and moving film i've ever seen; and i've seen a lot of films. The filming style is incredibly realistic which makes the film even harder to watch. John Simm is, as always, outstanding, but the two girls who play the sisters are beyond words.

This is a must see film but be prepared - this is not easy to watch. I have never cried so many times in one film and I don't normally cry at films at all. On many occasions I had to avert my eyes temporarily because it is so hard to see the graphic detail of the horrific acts which are forced upon these women. A true account of what these poor girls go through.

Having seen this originally on Channel 4 TV and not normally being a person to buy these "TV DVDS" I remembered roughly the story behind this film.The 2 main players, the Moldovian sisters are conned into venturing abroad to find jobs and where the grass is apparently greener-isn't it always? Inevitably they do not reach their true destination and are sold by various people, abused by all and sundry and generally lead horrific lives - far from what they were promised.John Simm who fits his part perfectly as the reporter/nosey parker is lucky not to get killed having naievly got himself in various "situations". The acting really is superb, the tale frightening, and one that is undoubtedly and very sadly true of the total corruption involved in cross border policing. A good film.

This is one of the best mini series Ive ever seen, not that its in any way fun to watch. This makes you feel sick and angry at the world and you wish you could watch it and say "yeah but this never happens in real life" which is so far from the truth. Worse so called people in it is the officers that are suppose to work against traffecking but uses the girls more than anyone else. Worth five stars alone is Anamaria Marinca.

Ps: You should also watch Lilja 4-Ever if you want an even more tragic story of traffecking...

When I watched this it made me realise how lucky I am to be in a place where I feel safe. This drama is so hard hitting that everyone should watch it to see the harsh reality of what really happens when young girls are promised the earth but end up dead for money, greed and political gain. It reminded me of the spine chilling novel 'VIRGIN HUNTER' by Colin Turner also based on human trafficking that some people will stop at nothing to get what they want. I highly recommend both to anyone.

We just watched this and got so pulled in by the story that we just played both parts back to back for the full 3 hours. I dare you to NOT do the same.

The story is a simple one: 2 sisters think their friend is taking them out of Moldova to London to find good jobs so they can better provide for their families. But he's actually selling them into sex slavery. The standout performance is by older sister Elena, who makes the whole experience so REAL, and so harrowing, that you find yourself feeling her panic and her desperation.

This is great TV, and it deserves every single award it's won. Brilliant stuff.

Like some of the others reviewers, I too remember this being aired on Channel 4 a few years ago. I have to admit to being slightly hesitant at watching it again, remembering the abject horror I felt at watching the story unfold. It probably hit even harder this time, especially as the global issue with trafficking has escalated. It's very difficult to detach yourself from the women here as being fictional characters, knowing that right now there are women, and children going through this level of abuse, and worse. This shows all too clearly a situation that allows the most vulnerable, and most cruel of people to collide, and how even those supposed to be helping can become part of the problem.

This is a fantastic film, and the acting is outstanding, but Anamaria Marinca deserves the biggest praise, as she plays the part of Elena beautifully. It's difficult to convey how it can be so good, when it is three hours of absolute misery, with hardly any scenes that could be thought of as anything of joy. There are some scenes that show an unprecedented level of depravity. But I think it's a hugely important film that should absolutely be seen, to highlight what is going on. It made me feel sick, and upset, and weeks later I still feel disturbed by it. It has made me start donating to charities that are trying to fight this trade, and help the victims. People who think the slave trade ended centuries ago could not be further from the truth. This is probably the most horrific crime that is occurring in the today, and this is one of the best portrayals of it I have seen.